Abstract

CLASSICAL REVIEW OF JALUKAVCHARANA

*Dr. Parul Gautam, Dr. Monika Das and Dr. Akhilesh Shrivastav

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Abstract

Leech therapy is a precious gift of Ayurveda to the Modern medical science. Leech therapy is an ancient technique of blood-letting. Acharya Sushruta mentioned full Chapter on Jalaukavacharana in Sushruta Samhita. Jalauka (Leeches) are used for impure blood letting The two types of treatment that are advised in Ayurveda are:-1). Shaman chikitsa and 2). Shodhana chikitsa. Shamana chikitsa means Internal medicine and Shodhana chikitsa means Elimination therapy. In Ayurveda, Panchkarma is one of the tools to treat many disorders. Acharya Sushruta included Raktmokshana in Panchakarma. The first description about the Jalauka (Leech) is mentioned in Sushruta Samita. The term "Jalauka" (Leech) means, a creature whose life depends on water. Jalauka is the only Shodhana treatment that can be done on Children, Ladies, weak, old, rich and fearful person. It is mainly indicated for Vitiated Pittaja and Raktaja doshas. Due to its sophisticated nature. The knowledge of Jalaukavacharana is as old as the Ayurveda. It is described in Rigved, kaushik sutra, VinayPi-tak, CharakSamhita and Sushruta Samhita. Sushruta give a detailed description of the Leech and Leech therapy. Sushruta describe the method of application of leech in details dividing it into three parts namely Purvakarama, Pradhankarama and Pachchatkarama.

Keywords: Jalaukaavcharana, Panchakarma, Raktaja roga, Leech, Svisha, Nirvisha Jalauka, Blood letting.